So in lieu of the court's decision, Deborah Nucatola, MD, Senior Director of Medical Services for Planned Parenthood, has released an email that details the basic facts (and myths) of Plan B. Here we go:

Emergency contraception works by preventing pregnancy.

Pregnancy doesn't happen right after sex. That is why it's possible to prevent pregnancy even after the fact. It can take up to six days for the sperm and egg to meet after having sex. Emergency contraception pills work by keeping a woman's ovary from releasing an egg for longer than usual. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no egg to join with sperm.

The morning-after pill is not the abortion pill. It is a safe, effective form of birth control that works by postponing ovulation, which prevents sperm from coming in contact with and fertilizing an egg.
In fact, every major medical institution, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), states unequivocally that Plan B and other types of emergency contraception are forms of birth control, and they cannot induce an abortion. (The abortion pill–mifepristone—in contrast, works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is needed for the pregnancy to continue.)

Emergency contraception does not lead to risky behavior.

Research has shown that teens understand that emergency contraception is not intended for ongoing, regular use and that the rates of unprotected sex do not increase when they have easier access to emergency birth control.

Emergency contraception is safe.

Studies have also shown that emergency contraception is safe for use by women of all ages and that teens have equally as successful health outcomes as adult women when using it. In fact, various forms of emergency contraception have been used for more than 30 years. There have been no reports of serious complications.

The FDA approved Plan B in 1999. It was the first progestin-only medication specifically designed for emergency contraceptive use, and was cleared for over-the-counter sales in 2006 for users 17 or older. However, doctors had been prescribing emergency birth control since the 1960s, and studies published as early as 1974 have shown emergency contraception to be safe and effective.

There are two kinds of emergency contraception:

Levonorgestrel pills, including the brands Next Choice One Dose and Plan B One Step.

Ulipristal acetate, known by the brand name ella

(And: ParaGard IUD insertion.)

Friday's ruling was specific to the first type, leconorgestrel, e.g. the brands Next Choice One Dose and Plan B One-Step (ulipristal acetate, or ella, is still available by prescription only).

There are number of reasons to use the pill:

you weren't using any birth control when you had sex;

you forgot to take your birth control method;

your partner's condom broke or slipped off;

your partner didn't pull out in time; or

you were forced to have unprotected vaginal sex.

Both kinds of emergency contraception can be used up to five days after unprotected intercourse.

And there you have it! Show your friends, show your mom, print it out and throw it from a plane.